Handle assembly casting rod



Dec. 21, 1948. M. M 'CULVER HANDLE ASSEMBLY CASTING ROD Filed Feb. 28, 1946 HUI 41 H W r lnvmran Menu/N M cuLvER,

A QQ S Q Patented Dec. 21, 1948 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE HANDLE ASSEMBLY CASTING ROD lVIerlynl M. Culver, Dayton, Ohio Application February 28, 1946; Serial No. 650,909

(CL 13e-22)' 16 Claims.

This invention relates toa handle for a fishing rod or casting rod; and particularly relates to an apparatus for holding a casting rod securely within the handle, and for holding a reel upon the reel seat of the casting rod.

An object of the invention is to provide an improved casting rod handle having a lock for holding a reel in position on the reel seat of the handle, and also wherein the lock is adapted to becontinuously held in locking position against accidental opening thereof.

Another object of the invention is to provide a casting rod handle with an improved'l'ocking arrangement for frictionally holding a casting rod in position withinrthe handle.

Another object of the invention is to provide a casting rod handle with an improved form of locking apparatus for. holding a reel inposition upon the reel seat of the handle wherein the lever for operating the locking apparatus also provides a nger grip which may be engaged by a finger of the operator for holding the lockV in locking position.

Further objects and advantages will become apparent from the drawings and following de,- scription.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure l is a vertical cross sectional View. taken through the casting rod handle and locking mechanism oi this invention;

Figure 2 is a partial cross sectional View of al casting rod handle illustrating aV modified arrangement of locking mechanism for. holding a reel in position on the reel seat of the handle.

In Figure 1 there is illustrated an improved form of casting rodhandle wherein the body I of, the handle is formed of a casting. The cast body` It has a recessed portion I.I positionedbetween the rear handle portiony I2 of the body I0 and a, front grip portion I3 tor receive a reel I4.

The rear handle portion I2 consists of a cylindrical portion I5 extendingirom the body I0 of theV handle and is surrounded with a grip member i6, which may be composed of cork or other suitable material. The grip member I6 is held in position upon the cylindrical portion I5v by means of a washer I'I that has a machinescrew- Il) passing through and threaded into a threaded hole I9 in the end of the cylindrical portion I5.

The front grip portion I3` of the handle I0 consists of a threaded body portion extending forwardly of the body of the handle Ill.y The threaded portion 20 is provided.` with an axial bore 2l therein which receives a resilientv sleeve 22; consisting of a rubber orrubber-likematerial;

A metal sleeve 23 is also provided within the bore 2| and engages one end of the resilient sleeve 22'. The opposite end of the metal sleeve 23 is engaged by the rear wall oi the nose portion 24 ofv an internally threadedA looking-member 25.

The' locking member 25 has threads 28 cooperating with the threaded portion 2U so as to cause the metal sleeve 23 to compress the re'- silient sleeve 22 when themember 25 is threaded upon the threaded portion 20;

A casting rod Sli is adapted to have one end thereof positioned within the resilient sleeve 22l which fric-tionally binds upon the end of the casting rod 3B to hold the same in position in the casting rod lock just described.

The central recessed portion IIof the body of the handle I0 is provided" with a relatively hat surface 40 that forms a seat for the base member 4I- of a reel I4 adapted to be secured upon the handle I The reel" seat 40 is positioned below the axial center line between the rear grip portion I2 and the front grip portion I3` so that the reel I4 will be positioned sufficiently low to allow engagementv thereof' by the thumb of an operator.

The reely seatk Illv terminates at one end in an undercut-portion 42 provided in the body of the handle I0 toreceive one end of the base 4I of a reel I4. This undercut portion 42 is preferably arranged on a taper to cause frictional binding upon the end of thebase 4Il of the reel when in position upon the reel seat 40.

The locking apparatus for holding the reel I4l in position upon the reel' seat 40, consists of a lever50ithat is pivotally mounted'within a recess or slot 5I provided in the forward portion of the body of the handle I0. A pivot pin 52 passes transversely through the body I0 for pivotally securing the lever 5t!v` thereupon. The forward end of the lever 50 is provided with an extending portion 53 that forms a cam member'for actuating a locking member 54' to hold the reel I4 in position upon the reel seat- 4U; The rear portion ofthe-lever 50' terminates in a downwardly extending nger hook that is adapted to be grasped by a finger of the operator of the device. The lever 50 is provided` with a relatively flat 'surface 56 adapted to engage a corresponding flat-r surface 5l provided on the underside of the reel seat 40'when the lever 50 is in locking position, Aas illustrated in Figure l.

The locking member 54 is preferably formed of a resilient memberV havingl an upwardly extending portion 55' provided with an ear 561 located on each` sideoffthe-member 54. A pivotvpin` 51' passes through the body l and through the ears 55', thus forming a pivot for the locking member 55.

The locking member 54 has a general downwardly extending portion 58 -contiguous with the portion 55 and which is adapted to engage the forward end of the base 4| of the reel Ill to frictionally hold the base 5| upon the reel seat 40, and to retain the rear edge of the base 4| within and in engagement with the recess 42.

A torsion spring 50 is disposed around the pivot pin 5l. The torsion spring 60 has one end thereof engaging the upper wall of the recess 5l and has the opposite end engaging the member 54, thereby tending to rotate the member 54 in a clockwise direction.

To operate the mechanism heretofore described, the lever 50 is rotated in a counter clockwise direction thereby causing the cam nose 53 to recede from the locking member 54 and allow` the member to rotate in a clockwise direction as 4caused by the torsion spring 50. The reel I4 may then either be removed from the seat 0r be positioned upon the same.

To lock the reel I4 in position upon the reel seat 40, the lever is rotated in a clockwise direction thereby causing the cam nose 53 to ride against the upwardly inclined portion of the locking member 54 to rotate the same in a counter clockwise direction, thus causing the forward portion 55 of the member 55 to engage the forward portion of the reel vbase 4| and hold the same upon the reel seat 50, The resiliency provided in the locking member 54 is ksufficient to retain. a positive frictional contact of the member 5d upon the base 5| of the reel.

When the locking apparatus is in the locking position, as illustrated in Figure 1, it will be noted that the point of engagement of the nose portion of the lever 50 with the locking member 55 is disposed on the righthand side of a line passing between the axes of the pivot pins 52 and 5l. riChis arrangement thereby provides an over center throw mechanism with the member 54 urging th-e lever 50 in a clockwise direction, thus holding the lever '50 .in locking position.

Ii desired, a small roller 65 may be provided in the nose portion 53 of the. lever 50 to engage the locking member 54, the roller 55 being carried upon a bearing pin 56.

It will also be noted that the over center throw arrangement of the locking mechanism for holding the reel upon the handle is such that when a reel is removed from the handle the lever 50 will be retained in position against the bottom face of the reel seat 56, as illustrated in Figure 1.

With the lever 50 extending rearwardly to a position substantially in alignment with the rear edge of the reel M, the ringer loop 55 is positioned so that the fore-Jnger of an operator can readily grasp the nger loop 55 when operating the casting rod and will thus insure against accidental opening of the reel locking mechanism.

In Figure 2 there is shown a modied arrangement of the reel locking mechanism illustrated in Figure 1, and a slightly modified arrangement of the casting rod locking mechanism illustrated therein.

The casting rod locking mechanism illustrated in Figure 2 for locking the casting rod 30h upon the handle mb consists of a tapered resilient sleeve 22h which is engaged by a sleeve 23h when the member 25h is rotated upon the threaded portion 20h. Y

The reel locking mechanism, illustrated in Figure 2, consists of a lever |50 that is pivotally mounted in a recess |5| in the handle |0b by means of a pivot pin |52. The forward end of "le lever |50 has a gear segment |53 thereon that cooperates with a gear segment |54 pivotallycarried upon the pin |55.

The gear segment |54 carries a locking member |56 adapted to engage the base dla of the reel lila to hold the reel in position upon the reel seat 10b of the handle |0b in the same manner as heretofore described with reference to the apparatus illustrated in Figure 1.

The gear segment |54 carries a pin |50 that has one end of a tension spring iti positioned around the same. The opposite end of the tension spring |6| is positioned around the pivot pin |52 for the lever |50.

The axes of the pins |52 and |50 are positioned on the lefthand side of the pivot pin |55 when the lever |50 is in locking position, as illustrated in Figure 2. Thus, an over center throw mechanism is provided so that the spring |6| tends to hold the lever |50 in the locking position illustrated in Figure 2.

The operation of the device illustrated in Fig. ure 2 is substantially the same as that of the device illustrated in Figure 1, it being apparent that counterclockwise rotation of the lever |50 will cause clockwise rotation of the locking member |56 and vice versa to unlock and lock respectively the mechanism.

While the apparatus disclosed and described herein constitutes preferred forms of the invention, yet it will be understood that the apparatus is capable of.mechanical alteration without departing from the spirit of the invention and that all modifications that fall within the scope of the appended claims are intended to be in` eluded herein.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A casting rod handle including, a reel seat, stationary means at one end of said reel seat for holding the base of a reel upon the seat, a movable locking member disposed adjacent the opposite end of said seat and including means upon which said member is oscillatable, and a lever movable relative to said seat operably associated with one end of said locking member for oscillating the same toward or away from said seat.

2. A casting rod including, a reel seat, stationary means at one end of said seat for engaging one end of a reel base to ,hold the same upon said seat, a movable locking member disposed adjacent the opposite end of said seat for engaging the end of a reel base upon said seat, pivot means for supporting said locking member in said position, and a lever operated cam member engaging one end of said locking member to effectuate rotation ofthe locking member relative to said seat upon rotation of the cam member to lock and unlock a reel base positioned upon said seat.

3. A- casting rod including, a reel seat, stationary means at one end of said seat for engaging one end of a reel base to hold the same upon said seat, a movable locking lever positioned adjacent the opposite end of said seat and including pivot means for mounting the same in the said position, and an actuating lever pivotally mounted adjacent said opposite end of said seat and having means extending therefrom for engaging said locking lever to move thesame toward and away from. said seatr upon actuation of saidV actuating lever;

4. A casting rod including, -a'reel seat, stationary means at one end of saidfseat for engaging one end of a rcel base seat, an oscillatable locking member positioned adjacent the oppositeA end of said seat, an oscillatable actuating member for oscillating said-locking member and including lever'means iorV operating the and res ent means tendingnormally to rotate one of said oscillatable means, said oscillatable means having their axes disposed reiative to one another to form an over center throw mechanism energized by said means to holding said locking member in locking position.

5. A casting rod including, a reel seat, stationary means at one end or" said seat for engaging oneend ol a reel base te hold'the same upon'said seat,` an oscillatable locking member positioned adjacent the opposite end of said seat, an oscillatableactuating membe for oscillatingsaid locking member and including lever means for operating the same, and resilient meanstending normally 'to rotate said oscillatable means having their axes disposed relative to one another to-'orm an over center throw mechanism energized by said resilient means for holding said locking member-in locking position and said actuating lever adjacent said seat.

6. In a casting rod handle, the combination of, a wall portion forming a reel seat on one side thereof, stationary means at one end of said seat for holding one end ci a reel base .in positionupon said seat, an oscillatable tioned4 adjacent the opposite end of said seat and including means Vfor mounting the same in said position, and an oscillatable actuating member operably connected with said locking member for oscillating the same and including a lever eX- tending therefrom for actuating the same and adapted for positioning against the opposite side of said wail portion when the locking member is in locking position.

7. In a casting rod handle, the combination oi, a wall portion forming a reel seat on one side thereof, stationary means at one end of saidi seat for holdingy one end oi a reely base in position upon said seat, an oscillatable locking member positioned adjacent the opposite nd of saidseat fling means for mounting the same in i, and an oscillatable actuating member operably associated with said locking member for oscillating the same and including a lever extending therefrom ior actuating the same and adapted ior positioning against the opposite side of said wall portion when the locking member is in locking position, said lever having a ringer engaging portion thereof terminating in a nger loop positioned adjacent the said stationary means.

8. In a casting handle, the combination of, a wall portion forming a reel seat on one side thereof, stationary means at one end of said seat for holding one end of a reel base in position upon said seat, an oscillatable actuating member operably connected with said locking member and having lever means extending therefrom for actuation thereof and adapted to be positioned against the opposite side of said wall portion when the locking member is in locking position, resilient means tending normally to oscllate said members relative to one another, said oscillatable members having their axes positioned relative to one anto hold the same upon` saidv resilient one of said oscillatable means,

locking memberl posi-l other-to provide an over center throw mechanism energized by said resilient means acting thereon to'. hold said locking member and said lever in locking position.

9. A casting rod handle consisting of a body, a relatively narrow wall portion in said body forming on one side thereof a reel seat, stationary means at one end of said reel seat for holding a reel base thereon, a locking lever positioned adjacent the opposite end oi said reel seat having one end thereof positioned above the said seat, pivot means for supporting said locking lever adjacent one end thereof, an actuating member for said locking lever engaging the same to move said lever toward or away from said seat, pivot means supporting said actuating lever beneath said locking lever, said actuating lever beingadapted for positioning adjacent the opposite side of said wall portion when said locking lever is in locking position, and reslient means operably connected with said actuating lever and said locking lever for holding the same in locking position.

l0. A casting rod handle including in combinatiorna body, a relatively narrow wall portion in said body forming on one side thereof a reel eat, a recess in said body adjacent one end of said reel seat for holding one end of the base of a.y reel` in engagement with the seat, a recess at 'the opposite end of said reel seat, a movable locking lever disposed within said second recess, pivot means for mounting said lever within said recess, an actuating member positioned within said second recess for engaging and operating said locking lever, pivot means mounting said actuated means in said second recess, resilient means for urging said locking member and said actuating member into rotation and holding the same in locking position, and an actuating lever extending from said actuating means for operating the same and positioned adjacent the 0ppositel side of said wall portion when said locking. lever is in locking position.

11'. A casting rod handle including in combination, a body, a relatively narrow wall portion in saidr body forming on one side thereof a reel seat, a recess in said body adjacent one end of said'reel seat for holding one end of the base of a reel in engagement with the seat, a recess at the opposite endet saidreel seat, a movable lockingleverdisposedwithin said second recess, pivot sans for mounting said lever within said recess, an actuating member positioned within said second recess for engaging and operating said locking lever, pivot means mounting said actuated means in said second recess, resilient means for urging said locking member and said actuating member into rotation and hold the same in locking position, and an actuating lever extending from said actuating means for operating the same and positioned adjacent the opposite side of said wall portion. when said locking lever is in locking position, and terminating in a iinger loop disposed substantially beneath said rst mentioned recess.

12. A handle for a casting rod that includes in the combination, a body, a relatively narrow wall portion in said body forming on one side thereof a narrow seat, a recess at one end of said seat to receive one end of a reel base to hold the same upon said seat, a second recess in said body adjacent the opposite end of said seat, a locking lever positioned within said second recess and having pivot means associated therewith for pivotally mounting the same therein, a cam actuated member positioned within said second recess having pivot means associated therewith for rotatably mounting the same therein and engaging one end of said locking lever to eiect oscillation of the opposite end thereof relative to said seat, and an actuating lever extending from said actuating cam for operating the same and adapted to lay adjacent the opposite side of said wall portion when said locking lever is in locking position.

13. A handle for a casting rod that includes in the combination, a body, a relatively narrow wall portion in said body forming on one side thereof a narrow seat, a recess at one end of said seat to receive one end of a reel base to hold the same upon said seat, a second recess in said body adjacent the opposite end of said seat, a locking lever positioned within said second recess and having pivot means associated therewith for pivotally mounting the same therein, a cam actuated member positioned within said second recess having pivot means associated therewith for rotatably mounting the same therein and engaging one end of said locking lever to effect oscillation of the opposite end thereof relative to said seat, and an actuating lever extending from said actuating cam for operating the same and adapted to lay adjacent the opposite side of said wall portion when said locking lever is in locking position, and a resilient member engaging said locking lever to hold one end thereof against said actuating cam, said pivot means for said locking lever and said actuating cam being disposed relatively to the point of engagement of said cam upon said locking lever when said device is in locking position to form a toggle link actuated by said resilient means to hold said locking lever and said actuating lever in locking position.

14. A handle for a casting rod including in combination, a body, a relatively narrow wall portion forming on one side thereof a reel seat,

a recess at one end of said seat to receive one end of a reel base, a second recess at the opposite end of said reel seat, a locking lever positioned within said second recess having pivot means associated therewith for pivotally mounting the saine and including a gear segment, an actuating member positioned within said second recess having pivot means associated therewith for pivotally mounting the same and including a gear segment engaging said first gear segment,

d Number and lever means extending from said actuating member for operating the same and adapted to be positioned against the opposite side of said wall portion when said locking lever is in locking position.

15. A handle for a casting rod including in combination, a body, a relatively narrow wall portion forming on one side thereof a reel seat, a recess at one end of said seat to receive one end of a reel base, a second recess at the opposite end of said reel seat, a locking lever positioned Within said second recess having pivot means associated therewith for pivotally mounting the same and including a gear segment, an actuating member positioned within said second recess having pivot means associated therewith for pivotally mounting the same and including a gear segment engaging said rst gear segment, and resilient means extending between said gear segments to resiliently hold said locking lever and said actuating lever in locking position.

16. A handle for a casting rod including in combination, a body, a relatively narrow Wall portion forming on one side thereof a reel seat,

a recess at one end of said seat to receive one end of a reel base, a lsecond recess at the opposite end of said reel seat, within said second recess having pivot means associated therewith for pivotally mounting the same and including a gear segment, an actuating member positioned within said second recess having pivot means associated therewith for pivotally mounting the same and including a gear segment engaging said first gear segment,

-- and resiliently hold said locking lever and said actuating lever in locking position, said actuating lever terminating in a nger loop substantially beneath said first recess.

MERLYN M. CULVER.

REFERENCES CITED The .following references are of record in the nie of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date 1,752,027 Pueger Mar. 25, 1930 1,923,035 Hoerle et al. Aug. 15, 1933 1,965,795 Dunkelberger lJuly 10, 1934 2,027,243 Miller Jan. 7, 1936 2,057,535 McKechnie Oct. 13, 1936 a locking lever positioned' 

